The WNBA has been flooded with star-caliber rookies over the last few years. Aliyah Boston was an All-Star and unanimous Rookie of the Year in 2023. Caitlin Clark earned the award and finished fourth in MVP voting in 2024. Last season, Paige Bueckers made the All-WNBA Second Team as a 23-year-old rookie.
That trend is likely to continue in 2026. This year’s rookie class is packed with talent, and a good handful of players have the talent – and the opportunity – to come into the league and make an impact from Day 1.
Of course, some are in more favorable positions than others. That’s why we’re looking at the 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year odds to find value where others aren’t. Check out our offshore sportsbook reviews to find the best lines and make your picks before the season gets underway on May 8.
2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds
Odds are current as of April 15 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings (+200)
- Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx (+300)
- Awa Fam Thiam, Seattle Storm (+300)
- Lauren Betts, Washington Mystics (+600)
- Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm (+1200)
- Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo (+1800)
- Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky (+3000)
- Georgia Amoore, Washington Mystics (+3500)
The odds largely follow draft order, which is no surprise. One surprise player ranks fairly high, though, and that’s Georgia Amoore. The No. 6 pick in 2025 missed all of last season with a torn ACL but is drawing attention as a Rookie of the Year sleeper in 2026.
WNBA Rookie of the Year Favorites
Based on the odds, these are thought to be the top contenders for WNBA Rookie of the Year. But will things actually shake out that way?
Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings (+200)
Fudd was one of the most efficient players in college basketball this past season at UConn, averaging 17.3 points per game while shooting a blistering 44.7 percent from 3-point range. Her presence should help turn one of the Wings’ weaknesses into a strength: Dallas ranked 12th out of 13 teams in 3-point percentage in 2025.
With that said, Fudd projects to be more of a complementary piece as a rookie. The Wings’ backcourt is crowded between Bueckers and four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, meaning she’ll likely come off the bench for the foreseeable future.
That’s not to say Fudd can’t still win Rookie of the Year, but it does potentially limit her ceiling. And when other rookies are likely to see more exposure as starters, it only puts more pressure on Fudd to be outstanding in her role.
Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx (+300)
The Lynx are expected to be without superstar forward Napheesa Collier for the start of the WNBA season, meaning someone will need to step up to keep Minnesota in position for a playoff spot upon her return. Perhaps that player could be Miles?
The 23-year-old is a generational playmaker, and she’s developed into an efficient playmaker and aggressive rebounder as well. As a senior at TCU, she averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.
Miles probably won’t be a starter right away, and Collier’s return could force her out of that lineup. But the rookie is certainly capable of contributing right away, and head coach Cheryl Reeve could lean on her early if she plays to her potential in training camp.
Awa Fam Thiam, Seattle Storm (+300)
The first international player taken in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Fam Thiam is full of potential. Still just 19, the 6-foot-4 center is already a strong defender with a growing offensive game. She can step behind the 3-point line and finish around the rim, and she’s an impressive passer for her position.
However, this is largely an upside pick for the Storm, who already have a strong frontcourt in Ezi Magbegor and 2025 No. 2 pick Dominique Malonga. The franchise has the time and flexibility to be patient and let Fam Thiam develop as a pro.
Malonga’s rookie season may be the blueprint for what to expect from Fam Thiam in 2026. She appeared in 42 games (no starts) and averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds over 14.3 minutes. Fam Thiam’s odds of winning Rookie of the Year should only get longer as the year goes on.
2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Sleepers to Bet On
This is the range in which you can find some serious value. Side note: We’re skipping over Lauren Betts (+600), who will come off the bench and back up Shakira Austin in her rookie year.
Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm (+1200)
A draft night trade sent Johnson from Golden State to Seattle, and it might’ve been a blessing in disguise. The Storm needed guards following the departures of Skylar Diggins and Brittney Sykes, and Johnson – an efficient shooting guard – fits the bill.
Johnson also brings versatility on the defensive end of the floor, where she can defend multiple positions. She averaged at least 1.2 steals per game in all four years at LSU (including 2.1 as a sophomore) and is also a stout offensive rebounder for her position.
Johnson can create her own shot and do a lot of other things on offense that Seattle currently lacks. As long as she remains consistent, she’s poised to shine as a rookie.
Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo (+1800)
One of five UCLA players drafted in the first round, Rice has an instant legacy as the first player selected by the Toronto Tempo. A versatile, heady guard who can play either position, Rice is also a pro-ready player who brings a high level of maturity and basketball IQ for a rookie.
Toronto is already fairly loaded on guards – Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, Kia Nurse and Julie Allemand should all get minutes – but that should also work to Rice’s favor, allowing her to play through potential mistakes in low-stakes situations.
Rice is in an ideal situation with Sandy Brondello serving as head coach. She’s developed some stellar guards over the years, and Rice may well be the next great one. Her impact as a rookie likely won’t be large enough to win this award, though.
Top 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Longshots
These players could pop under the right circumstances, but they rank lower on the list for a reason. Bets on these players are fine, but limit the size of your stake.
Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky (+3000)
It’s plausible that Jaquez could develop into a star in the pros, but it’s more likely that she becomes the ultimate role player. She was the glue that held UCLA’s title-winning team together, doing just about everything on both ends of the floor and scoring a game-high 21 points in the championship.
Jaquez could certainly start as a rookie, and she would be an ideal fit alongside Skylar Diggins and Rickea Jackson. Her shooting (39 percent from 3-point range as a senior) opens the floor up for Diggins and Jackson to operate in space, and her ability on the glass allows her to push the pace and get the ball up the floor in a hurry.
Jaquez is the definition of a winning player. Her counting stats may not pop off the page as a rookie, but she’ll have the opportunity to help right the ship in Chicago following a stretch of abysmal seasons, and that counts for something.
Georgia Amoore, Washington Mystics (+3500)
Amoore was initially given an outside shot to win Rookie of the Year in 2025, but a torn ACL suffered in practice kept her out for the entire season. She’s back to make her debut in 2026, albeit with a full year of understanding the ins and outs of the league and what it means to be a pro. The lights will not be too bright for Amoore.
The knock against her is purely physical – she stands just 5-foot-7 – but Amoore was arguably the best passer in the nation over her final two years in college, averaging a combined 6.8 assists over 63 games.
The Mystics ranked 11th in assists per game this past season, and Amoore should be able to compete for a starting role going into 2026. I’m optimistic that she can outplay the odds at +3500.
Best WNBA Rookie of the Year Bet
There are a few different directions you can go with your WNBA Rookie of the Year bets. Azzi Fudd (+200) is a safe bet to play to her strengths, as the Wings likely won’t need her to do more than she’s capable of. Olivia Miles (+300) could also make an instant impact for a Lynx team that’s long needed a player with her playmaking potential.
Then there’s Flau’jae Johnson (+1200) and Georgia Amoore (+3500), two outsiders in the race who could shorten their odds by taking on larger roles than other rookies. You have to be able to project where the minutes will go, and these two seem like strong candidates to earn starting nods.
Regardless of who you’re betting on, it’s essential that you compare prices before locking in.
